Tractor attachment



Feb. 1-3, 1940. J. L. HIPPLE TRACTOR ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1.937

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TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 21, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 In veh'tor 5 {amesLHz' PZa By Feb. 13,1940.

J. L. HlPPLE TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 21, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor: JqmesLlfifpZe I Feb. 13, 1940.

J. 1.. HIPPLE v 2,190,359

TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 2 1. 193': 4 Sheets$heet 4 (g f r! E\ 1 Patented Feb. 13, 1940.

PATENT" OFFICE TRACTOR ATTACHMENT James L. Hipple, Canton, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 21, 1937, Serial No. 121,506

15 Claims.

This invention relates to farm implements and is directed more particularly to implements of the class adapted for attachment to and operation in conjunction with tractors.

The-principal object of the invention is to provide means for converting farm tractors of the general purpose type, or other motor propelled wheel supported frame types, into efficient tractor planters when desired, and to produce a tractor planter structure in which the planter units will be positioned to the rear of the tractor and at each side -of the center line of the tractor, and also to position the fertilizer depositing mechanism or fertilizer attachment for the planter units ahead of the planter units and at each side of the forward portion of the tractor body. The fertilizer units of the fertilizer attachment and the planter units of the planter attachment are to have their controls so positioned as to be conveniently within the reach of the operators station.

A further object is to provide a structure that will be easily attachable to, and detachable from existing types of tractors, and that will provide the desired arrangement of the planters and fertilizer units, and also will include means for governing the operation of the planting elements and fertilizing. elements when the structure is in position on the tractor.

The foregoing and other minor objects have been obtained by the provision of a structure having for its characteristic features of construction a transverse frame member, attachable at its center to the mid-portion of the tractor, to which are trailed therefrom the planter units by parallel link draft connections for the planter units mounted underneath the tractor frame. a The planter units ar'e so mounted as to be adjusted laterally on the transverse draft member, if desired, and the transverse draft member has its ends extending laterally beyond the sides of the tractor body, for the purpose of obtaining a maximum adjustment of the planter units with respect to row widths. The fertilizer attachment structure is so mounted as to be readily attached to the frame of the tractor, and the fertilizer furrow opener structure is connected by parallel draft links to a transverse draft member extending across the front of the tractor, and laterally to each side of the tractor so that the fertilizer furrow openers may be adjusted. in the same manner, laterally as the plant units. The usual marker construction, in this instance, is mounted intermediate the front and rear ends of the.

tractor, and is connected to the front transverse draft member. The adjusting mechanism for the fertilizer-attachment units, and the planter units are mounted on the rear of the tractor within convenient reach of the operators station.

The invention, accordingly, resides in the organization and details of construction, or equivalents thereof, hereinafter'more particularly described, and then defined in the claims.

Referring to they drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the planter and fertilizer mechanism, as applied to a general purpose type of tractor of the tri-cycle type which has its right rear wheel removed to show the drive mechanism;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the planter attachment,- as shown in Figure 1;

lli

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the means for In the present instance, the invention is illustrated as including a tractor known as the gen- I eral purpose or tri-cycle type having a comparatively narrow longitudinal body frame or body portion l0 supported on a rear axle housing structure II in which are journaled axles l2, to which are adjustably secured wheels I3. The wheels l3 are so positioned as to span two plant rows, and are adjusted to ride in the furrows between the rows. The forward end of the tractor body I0 is supported on a single centrally positioned steering truck l4. The steering truck is steered, in the usual manner, by a steering wheel i5, adjacent an operators station It.

The structure of the planting attachment, which is one ,of the main objects of the invention, comprises a plurality of planting units l1 and I8 positioned to the rear of the tractor and having their draft connections extending for-- wardly underneath the tractor to a point intermediate the front and rear ends of the tractor.

As the planting units 11 and I8 are-similar in construction, only one unit will be described and like reference characters will denote similar parts The planting units IT and I8, however, are of ing planter. attachment supporting members l9 and 20, as best shown in Figures 1, 2 and '6. The

supporting members l9 and 20 are spaced apartlaterally, and secured to the sides of the transmission housing 2| of the tractor. The supporting members I9 and 20 are pivotally secured at their lower end to brackets 22, welded or otherwise secured to a transvers draft member or transverse draft means 23 in e form of a square tube. The transverse draft member 23 extends laterally on, each side of the narrow longitudinal body frame ID of the tractor and has a plurality of adjusting holes 24 and 24' for the purpose of adjustably positioning the planter units 'l'l and It; for various row spacings.

The transverse draft member 23 is supported from the rear axle housing ll of the tractor by thrust members 25 and 26 which carry in compression the forces transmitted thereto from the transverse draft member 23. The thrust members 25 and 26 extend forwardly and downwardly underneath the rear axle housing ll of the tractor, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6. At their lower ends, brackets 21 and 28 attach the draft member 23 to these thrust members. The brackets 21 and 28 are welded, or otherwise secured to the draft member 23. At their rear ends, thethrust members 25 and 28 extend up"- wardly and rearwardly of the rear axle housing II, as best shown in Figure 1. The rear end 25' of the thrust member 25 has bolted thereto, or otherwise secured, as best shown in Figure 6,

a supporting bracket 27 which is of the quick attachable and detachable type. Similarly the rear end 25' of the thrust member 25 has bolted thereto, or otherwise secured, an attaching hracket 28 which is also of the quick attachable As best shown attached to the tractor in Figures 1 and 2, the attaching and detaching brackets 2'! and 23' are supported from coupling members 29 and 30 respectively. The coupling members 29 and 3d are bolted to flanges 3! and 32 which are integral with the axle housings 5|. The attaching bracketsv 27' and 28' are securely attached to the coupling members 29 and 30 by swinging boltsl33 and 35 which are swung respectively through slots 35 and 36 of the brackets 27' 2nd 28', and which are best shown in. Figure It should thus be obvious from the foregoing descriptions, that the frame structure comprising the members 25 and 26 forms the front draft connections for the planter units to rigidly support the same on the tractor. The supporting members l9 and 2|! are used mainly to support the weight of the .transverse draft member 23, although it is obvious that other stresses may be transferred through these members to. the frame of the tractor.

Mounted for lateral adjustment on the transverse draft member 23 are draft connecting brackets or members v3l for each of the planter units I! and I8. Each of the draft connecting brackets 31 is securely clamped to the transverse draft member 23 by a triangular shaped clamping plate 38, and its attaching bolts. This construction is best shown in Figures 1 and 6. The draft connecting bracket 31 extends upwardly above the draft member 23, and below the draft member 23. At the upper'and lower ends of the draft connecting bracket 31 are pivotally mounted an upper draft link 39 and a lower draft link or longitudinally extending draft means 40 respectively. The upper draft link 39 The draft link 49 then extends rearwardly and v inwardly, and it is then bent outwardly as at 49" to form a draft connection for the frame of the planter units, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7. It is thus obvious, that a draft connection has been formed for each planter unit in which the connection is in the form of a parallel link connnection wherein any movement of the planter unit as it follows the ground will maintain the furrow opening device of the planter unit always in the same relation with the gaging member for the planter unit. In addition, due to the shape of the lower draft link 40, through which all of the draft forces of the planter unit'pass, there is provided means at its front and rear ends for stabilizing each of the planterunits to prevent any tipping of the planter units. The hair pin shaped brace 4! is pivotally mounted on the laterally extending portion 40" of the lower draft link 40. The portion 69" of the lower draft link is pivotally mounted in the forward end of a planter frame 32. The hair pin shaped brace 4|, to which the upper draft link 39 is pivotally attached, is supported in its upright position by braces 43 which are secured at their lower ends to the planter frame 42. The upper link 39 is adjustable so that it may be adjusted to have the same distance between centers as the distance between the axes of the laterally extending portions of Q0 and d0" of the lower draft link 40. This "is done so that the frame 42 of the planter units will rise "and fall in such a manner that each position of the planter frame and its attached parts willbe parallel to their previous position, as the planter covering wh 1' passes over any irregularities in the acute of the ground.

Attached to the planter rame 42 for each of the units l1 and I8 is a s ed hopper 44. The

.seed hopper is of the type well known in the baum et al., No. 2,017,759, granted October 15,,

1935'. The seed dispensing mechanism is driven from a drive mechanism comprising a transverse shaft 45 mounted on the planter frame 42. The transverse shaft 45 is driven by achain 45 which is driven from a sprocket 41 secured to an axle 48 of a covering wheel or gaugemeans 49. The chain 46 and its adjacent members provides means for driving the aforesaid dispensing mechanism,

The covering wheel 49 is supported on brackets 59 which are secured to rearwardly extending covering wheel frame members 5|. The covering wheel frame members 5| are welded, or otherwise secured to a transverse draft member 52- journaled in a U-shaped bracket 53 secured to the rear portion of the planter'frame 42; The covjusted by a lever 56 or means for adjusting the 7 gauge. means extending to within reach of the operators station I6. The lever 56 is attached toan upwardly extending arm 56' which is welded, or otherwise secured to the transverse draft member 52. The lever 56 is adjusted about an adjusting quadrant 51 which is secured to the planter frame 42. A fine adjustment of the gage wheel may be secured by an adjustable detent 58 which is pivotally mounted on the lever 56. The planting units I1 and I8 are held apart in their lateral spacing by a transverse bedding or spacing bar 59 which is pivotally attached to the brackets 53 of each of the units l1 and [8. As the spacing' bar 59 is pivotally attached to each of the units [1 and I8, each of the units is free to rise and fall with respect to each other, and to the tractor frambl fliie' transverse spacing bar 59, which provides means for connecting the units together to prevent lateral movement with respect to each other but permitting independent vertical movement with respect to each other, is provided with adjusting holes .66, so that the units may be spaced apart for various row spacings.

Journaled in the upper ends 25 and 26' of the thrust members 25 and 26 is a transverse rockshaft 6|. Welded, or otherwise secured to the increased or decreased depending upon whether the planter is to plant shallow or deep. The chains also provide a lost motion connection between the planter units and the lifting arms.

The planter units I1 and I8 are raised and lowered from transport position to ground engaging position, as shown in Figure 2, by means of a master lever 66 which comprises with its adjacent members-means for raising and lowering the planter units from ground engaging to transport position. The master lever 66 is secured to an upwardly ext-ending arm 66 which is welded, or otherwise secured to the transverse rockshaft 61. The adjusting lever 66 is adjusted about an adjusting quadrant 61 which'is secured'to the rear end 25 of the thrust member 25. As the lever 66 is moved forwardly to raise the planter units, a counter-balancing mechanism 68 acts to counter-balance the weight of the 'planter units I1 and 18. The counter-balancing mechanism comprises a link 69 pivotally attached at its lower end to a portion ofthe adjusting quadrant 61, and at its upper end to a tension spring 10 which in turn is supported from the lever 66 by abracket 1|. It is obvious that as the lever 66 moves forward that the tension in the spring 1!) acts to help lift the planter units, thus forming a resilient means for counter-balancing the weight of the planter units.

In the planter construction previously described, it is obvious that a simple planter attachment has been provided in which a plurality of planter units may be connected to'the tractor so that the planter furrow openers 54 are as close as possible to the axis of the rear wheels of the tractor to follow the contour of the ground. In addition, each of the. planting units is provided with parallel draft link connections, so that each planter unit follows uniformly the motion of the furrow opener 5 3 in the usual manner.

covering wheels as the covering wheels follow the contour of the ground. The covering wheels also perform the function of gaging means for each planter unit, and the depth of the furrow opener shoe 54 may be adjusted relatively to the cover- 5 ing wheel to increase or decrease the depth of planting in the operation of each of the planting units. Seed is placed in the hoppers 44 by raising a cover 44. The seed depositing mechanism is driven from the gage wheel, or covering 'wheel 10 49 and as the seed plates in the hopper revolve in the usual manner, seed is deposited through a seed boot 54' to the furrow formed by the furrow opener 54. The seed boot 54' is secured to the When 15 the planter is ready to be raised from ground engaging position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to transport position, the lever 66 is moved forwardly and each of the planter units l1 and I6 are raised entirely from the ground. The draft links 20 39 are bowed, as best shown in Figure l and Figure 6, to provide clearance in the raised position of the planter units in transport, and to prevent the draft links 39 from engaging the rear axle housings i I ,With this'construction it is obvious 25 that the plantar units are free to rise and fall with respect to each other, as each of the units follow the contour of the ground, and while in their raised position permitted to be raised to their maximum height for transport.

Fertilizer units 12 and 12' of the fertilizer attachment for the tractor planter are mounted forwardly on the longitudinally extending narrow body frame ill of the tractor. As each of the fertilizer units are substantialy similar, only 35 one will be described, and primed reference characters will denote similar parts of the left-hand unit. It is obvious that various parts of these fertilizer units are right and left handeti? The fertilizer unit 12 comprises thehopper mech- 40 anism 13 and the furrow opening mechanism or furrow forming structure 14. The fertilizer hopper mechanism is best shown in Figures 1, 2, 4

. and 5. The fertilizer hopper ;or dispensing mechanism 13 comprises a hopper supported by a 45 fertilizer supporting means or hopper frame 15'." The detailed construction of the fertilizer hopper frame or means for mounting the aforesaid dispensing mechanism on the tractor is best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. In Figure 4, the 5 fertilizer hopper frame 151s shown secured in position'to a side'sill' 16 of the narrow longitudinal frame ill of the tractor.

The frame 15 for the right fertilizer unit 12 is of U-shaped construction which extends laterally from the 55,

detached from the side sill 16 of the tractor by 65 clamp bolts 81 which provide means for quickly attaching and detaching the same to the tractor. A supporting member 82 has a forwardly extending portion 82' secured to the rear leg. of the U-shaped hopper'frame 15. A laterally extending portion -82" extends inward- 1y to where it is secured to the rear end 'of the plate 18. Mounted on the supporting member 82 are downwardly extending bracket members 83 and 64, as best shown in Figures 4' and 5. 7

member 88, as best shown in Figure 5, is clutched into its driving position so that the shaft 85 may be driven, as best shown in Figures 1,2 and 4, from the rear axle I2 of the tractor by means of a sprocket 89 secured to the axle I2, and by a chain 98 driving the sprocket 88 from the sprocket 89. A sliding clutch member 9| has tooth engaging portions engaging similar portions on the member 81. The member 9| is free to slide on the shaft 85, while at the same time, when it is engaged, as shown in Figure 5, to drive the shaft 85. The clutch member 9| is held in engagement with the member 81 by means of a compression spring 92. As best shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the clutch is thrown in and out of engagement by means of a clutch throw out link 93 actuated by a bell crank lever 94 which comprises the means for throwing,

the clutch means in and out of operation. The bell crank lever 94 is journaled in a bearing bracket 95 mounted on the laterally extending portion 82" of the supporting member 82. A clutch throw out rod 98, as best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, which is pivotally connected at its front end to the bell crank lever 94, ,ex-'

tends rearwardly to within reach of a lever 91, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, for actuating the throw out clutch mechanism. 1I 'he clutch throw out lever is so formed that, as shown in its position in Figures 1 and 2, the clutch member 9| is thrown out of engagement from the member 81. When the lever 91 is pulled back, as shown in Figure 2, it forms an over the center lock to prevent the teeth of the clutch member 9| from engaging the teeth of the clutch member 81. The lever 91 ispivotally mounted on a bracket 98 which in 'tiQrn is secured to a quadrant supporting bracket 99 The quadrant supporting bracket 99 is secured to a flange 3| which isintegral with the axle housings II, and is similar to the flange 3|, previously described.

It is, therefore, obvious that upon throwing the throw out lever 91 forwardly that the clutch member 9| will engage the clutch member 81, and as thegtractor moves forwardly, the fertilizer drive mechanism is driven through the transverse drive shaft 85 by means of the sprocket 89 secured to the axle I2 and by the chain 98.

- The shaft .85 is in the form of a jackshaft. The fertilizer distributing mechanism of the right fertilizer unit 12' is driven from the jackshaft 85 by means of a sprocket I88 secured thereto, and a forwardly extendingchain I8I which provides means for driving the aforesaid driving =means from the motor of the tractor.

extending bearing supporting brace I84. bearingjsupporting brace I84 is supported from means I82 from the jackshaft 85, as best shown in Figure 4. A driven'sprocket I82 or means for driving the dispensing mechanism is mounted on a stub shaft 'which is journaled in'a bearing I83. The transverse drive shaft and its adjacent parts comprise means for driving the drive The bearing I83 is supported from'a' longitudinally The the legs 'of the U-shaped fertilizer frame 15.

The chain I8I is tightened by a chain tightener I85. The chain tightener I85'comprises a roller I 88 mounted on an arm I81 which is pivotally mounted in a .chain tightener bracket I88 which is secured to a leg of the fertilizer U-shapedframe 15, as best shown in Figure 4. The roller I88 of the chain tightener I85 is held in engagement with the chain IN by means of a spring I89 connecting the link I81 with the bracket I88. The driven sprocket I82 has a bayonet portion or clutch element I82 which is engaged, as best of the weight of the fertilizer hopper mechanism It is 13 in detaching the same from the tractor. necessary to have a plurality of parts, so that the weight of each part may not overtax the strength of the operator in removing or attaching the parts of the tractor.

When the fertilizer hopper frame 15 has been attached to the side sill of the tractor, as best shown in Figure 4, the hopper 13 is placed on the frame, so that lugs or complementary members III engage slotted members or attaching means I I2, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5.. The foregoing structure provides means for quickly attaching anddetaching the aforesaid hopper construction to the hopper frame 15. However, it is necessary to align the pin II 8' with the bayonet portion I82 of the sprocket I82, which provides means for quickly attaching and detaching the aforesaid driving or operating mechanism of the hopper construction to the drive means for dispensing mechanism, before the lugs or comple- 'mentary members II I.thoroughly abut the memhers I I2. A clamp bolt I I3, as best shown in Figures land 4 engage a downwardly extending member II4 to clamp the hopper 13 in position.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 5, the left hand fertilizer unit 12' is mounted on the tractor in the same manner as the right hand unit 12., previously described. As like reference characters denote similar parts, and as the fertilizer hopper' frame 15' for the left hand hopper 13' is similar to the fertilizer hopper frame 15, previously described, this construction for the left hand unit will only be described as to the means for conmeeting and driving the left hand unit from the right'hand unit. The left hand fertilizer hopper frame 15' is secured to the left hand side of the tractor in the manner previously described for the right hand fertilizer hopper frame-15.

The left hand fertilizer hopper frame 15' has secured to the rear end of its longitudinally extending plate member 18', as best shown in Figures 2 and 5, a downwardly extending bearing bracket II5. Mounted in the bearing bracket I I5 is a self-aligning bearing II6. Attached to the outer end 'of a driveshaft I I1, which is a continuation of the jackshaft 85, as best shown in Figures 2 and 5, is a sprocket I I8. The sprocket II8 drives the sprocket I82, similar to that previously described, through a chain H9 similar to the chain I81. The chain 1 I9 is tightened by a chain tightener I85, similar to that previously described. It is obvious, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, that as the U-shaped fertilizer hopper frame 15' is being attached to the leftside of the tractor that the inner end of the shaft II1,

which has asquare end I20 formed thereon, is aligned with its complementary portion I2I secured to the inner end of the drive shaft 85 and the members I20 and I2I provide means for quickly attaching and detaching the shaft II1 to the shaft 85. It is, therefore, apparent that as the shaft II1 engages the portion I2I that a continuous shaft is formed for driving the left hand fertilizer unit from the right hand fertilizer unit. The shaft H1 is so positioned as to extend underneath the side sill 16 of the narrow longitudinal body frame I0 of the tractor.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, a chain drive shield I22 is mounted to enclose the drive chain 90. The chain drive shield I22 is secured at its forward end by the bracket I23 to the lateral extending portion 82" of the supporting member 82. The chain drive shield I22 has a curved portion I24 at its rear end to guard the sprocket 89. A chain tightener I25 is mounted on the chain drive shield I22 to tighten a chain The furrow opening structures 14 and 14' for each of the fertilizer distributing units 12 and 12' are similar, and therefore, only one will be described, and primed reference characters ofthe unit on left will denote similar parts of the unit on the right side. It is obvious that a portion of each of the structures 14 and 14' are right and left handed.

Mounted on theforward portion of the longitudinal body frame I0' is a laterally extending transverse draft member I26 forming a forwardly mounted draft frame. The transverse draft member I26 extends laterally on each side of the narrow body frame of the tractqr, and is supported by forwardly extending supporting brackets I21, detachably mounted on the front of the tractor. The brackets I21 are in compression when the tools attached to the transverse draft member or transverse draft means I26 are in their ground engaging position. The brackets I21 are secured at their forward ends to attaching brackets I28 welded, or otherwise secured to the transverse draft member I 26. Bail shaped,

"ing bolts.- .The' transverse draft member I26 is a square tube, and the brackets I3I and I32 are so shaped that they may be adjusted laterally on the draft member I26. Parallel draft links or draft means 133, I34, I33 and I35 extend rearwardly and'downwardly from the draft connecting brackets I3I and I32. The inner draft link I35, as best shown in Figure 2, is formed to provide clearance for a front wheel I36 of the tractor. The draft links I34- and I35 have at their upper ends laterally etending portions which are journaled in the draft connecting brackets I32. Similarly, at their lower ends are laterally extendingportions which are journaled in beam clamp brackets I31. Attached to the beam clamp brackets I31 are upwardly extending plate members I38. Attached to the upper ends of the A- cultivator beam I39 is mounted in each from the plate member, and the beam clamp bracket I31 is a cultivator shield support I40. Usually, the front attachment is normally used as a front mounted cultivator, but as disclosed,

and I42. Mounted at the lower end of the shovel shank is a cultivator shovel or ground engaging tool I44, or other similar furrow opening device. The beams I39 extend rearwardly and outwardly. Attached to the outer ends-of the beams I39 are disk hiller shanks I45 to which are attached disk hillers I46. The shanks I45 are clamped to the-beams I39 by clamp brackets I41. Attached to the rear of a cultivator shovel bracket I48 is a fertilizer boot I49. Fertilizer tubes I50 and II are attached to the fertilizer boot I49 when the fertilizer attachment is used, as in Figure 1, to sow the fertilizer underneath the seed planted by the planter. When the fertilizer attachment is used to side dress the plant rows, the cultivator standards, I43 are mounted at the place where the disk hiller standards are mounted; and, each tube I50 and I5I is connected to its individual furrow opening device I44. After the fertilizer is dispensed through the tubes I50. and I5I to the furrow formed by the furrow opening device I44, the disk hillers I46, which follow the furrow opening device I44, will cover the fertilizer in the furrow formed by the furrow opener I44 sufficiently to prevent the fertilizer from burning the seed, which are later dropped in the furrow by the planter attachment.

As parallel draft links I33, I34 and I35 are used, it is obvious that, as the furrow opening devices are raised and lowered at each adjusted depth, the position of the tools is parallel to their original positions. In order to raise and lower the furrow opening devices, push bars I52 and I53 are mounted on each side of the longitudinally extending narrow frame portion of the tractor. The push bars I52 and I53, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, are so mounted as to be positioned over the top of the fertilizer hoppers 13 and 13' with suflicient clearance to enable covers I54 for each of the fertilizer hopperswto be removed for the refilling of the fertilizer hoppers. The push bars I52 and I53 extend forwardly to where they are pivotally connected at their forward'ends to the bail shaped members I29 at their upper ends. The rear ends of the push bars I52 and I53 extend rearwardly and downwardlyto.

where they are pivotally connected to adjusting levers I55 and I56 mounted on each sideof the tractor, and adjacent the operators station I6. The push bars I52 and I53, with their adjacent parts, provide means for raising and lowering the furrow forming structures. The levers I55 and I56 are pivotally mounted on the quadrant brackets 99. The levers I55 and I56 are adjusted about quadrants I 51 and I58 in the usual manner. Pressure rods I59 and I60 connect the push bars I52 and I53 with the plate members I38 for each of the cultivator beams I39 Mounted n each of the pressure rods I59 and I60 are pres-' sure springs I6l providing means for independently exerting pressure in the furrow forming unit and adjusting collars I62 which permit the adjustment of the pressure springs I6I. Stop collars I63 are mounted on the upper ends of each of the pressure rods I59 and I60 in order to adjust the working depth of the cultivator tools. The pressure rods I59 and I68 are slidably I mounted in socket members I64, and forms a ,lost motion connection. The socket members I64 a connecting brackets are tension springs I68 used for counterbalancing the weight of the fertilizer furrow 'opening and covering devices. The springs I68 are. connected at their forward .end to spring brackets I69 secured to the transverse draft member I26. It, is obvious that, as the levers I55 and I56 are operated that the springs I68 provide means for counterbalancing and acts to counterbalance the weight of the fertilizer furrow opening devices. Also, .it is obvious that separate adjustment may be bad for each fertilizer furrow opening device on each side of the tractor. Increased pressure may be placed on each of the fertilizer furrow opening devices by each adjusting lever I18 and I1! providing means for adjusting the pressure means, mounted on the push bars I52 and I 53, respectively. An adjusting quadrant I12 for each of the adjusting levers I10 and HI is secured to the push bars I52 and I53. The levers I10 and HI are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to a forwardly extending portion I13 of the adjusting quadrant I12. Extending forwardly from the levers I10 and HI are adjusting links I14 which are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the U- shaped spring connecting bracket I61. It is, therefore, obvious that in each locked position of the levers I 10 and I 1| that the upper ends of each of the balancing springs I68 are held in a fixed position so that as the levers I55 and I56 are actuated the springs I68 act to counterbalance the weight of the fertilizer furrow opening devices 14 and 14'. It is also obvious that as the levers I10 and HI are actuated that the pressure springs. I6I for each of the fertilizer furrow open-.- ing units 14 and 14 may be increased or decreased at will depending upon the soil conditions. Additional balancing means forthe fertilizer units 14 and 14' are attached to the adjusting levers I55 and I56. The balancing means for each of the levers I55 and I56 comprise a balancing spring or counterbalancing means I15 mounted at its upper end on a spring bracket I16, attached to each of the levers I55 and I56. At their lower ends, the balancing springs are attached by spring links to an extension of the quadrants I51 and I58, respectively. With the tools counterbalanced, in the manner described,

it is obvious that very little eflort is required by the operator to raise and lower the units 14 and 14. A

It is also apparent from the foregoing description that, after the fertilizer has been sown and the seeds have been planted with this tractor attached planter, that the planter attachments I18 of the thrust members 25 and 26. The memhers I 11 and I18 have a quarter twist I19 formand the fertilizer hopper mechanisms may be detached from the tractor. The fertilizer furrow opener attachments may then be removed and regular cultivator tools can be attached to the cultivator beams I39, and then the front mounted 5 implement attachment may be used as a cultivator attachment. Also, at any time when it is desired to side dress the-plant rows with fertilizer, the fertilizer attachment and its furrow opening devices may be attached in place of the cultivator l0 tools, and the front connected implement attachment be used as a fertilizer distributing de-' vice toside dress the plant rows.

A marker bar structure or construction I15, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, provides the necessary marker attachment to'lay out the successive plant rows as the tractor attached implement travels down the field. As best shown in Figures 3 and 6, the marker bar construction I15 comprises a transversely extending, angle iron frame I16 which extends underneath the midportion of the tractor frame, and laterally of the side sills 16. The angle iron frame I16 is secured to forwardly extending portions I11 and 25 ing a horizontal supporting portion to which the member I16 is in abutting relationship providing means for mounting the marker bar structure on the aforesaid thrust members ahead of the transverse draft means 23. Mounted on each end of the angle iron frame I16 are telescoping marker rods I80 which have rotatably mounted at their outer ends a disk marker I 8I. The tele scoping marker rods I80 have an inner telescop- 35 ing member I82 which is slidably mounted in an outer telescoping member I83. The positign of the disk marker is adjusted laterally by means of holes I84 and cotter I85. The marker rod I80 is pivoted by a marker rod bracket I86, pivotally 40 attached to the angle iron frame I16 at its outer end. A stop I81 limits. the position of the marker rod I80 in its raised position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, for transport. An adjustable pull rod I88 is pivotally connected at its forward end, as 45 best shown in Figure 3, to the downwardly extending bracket I30 which is secured to the transverse-draft member I26, and at its rear end 'to the inner telescoping rod I82 adjacent the disk marker I8I and forms a forwardly extending o draft connection connecting the outer ends of the telescoping marker arms to the wheel supported frame. The adjusting pull rod I88 is made adjustable by means of the separate rods I 88' and I88" and are held in adjusted position by clamps I89- With this adjustable pull rod the angle of the disk marker I8I may be adjust d, and it also acts as a draft connection for t e marker. By means of the marker rod bracket I86, the marker I80 is free to have both horizontal and vertical movement. As-each of the marker bar constructions are similar. for each side of the tractor, only one has been' described. Mounted on each end of the angle iron frame I16 and adjacent the side sill 16 of the'tractor is an upwardly extending pulley support I90. The pulley support I90 comprises a vertical member ml and a brace I92 secured to the marker bar frame I15 at laterally spaced points. At the upper end of the pulley support I90 is mounted a pulley I93 which with its support forms means for supporting a rope or means I94 for raisin and lowering the marker bar I80, and the rope attached to a rope-connecting bracket I95 sj cured to the outer end of the outer telescoping member I83. The rope, as shown in Figure 3, passes over the pulley I93 and extends forwardly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to latch brackets '96, secured on each side of the transmission housing 2I adjacent the operator's station I6. A handle I91 may be attached to the rope I94 for ease in manipulation. The marker bar is latched in its raised position by' a knot I98 abutting a slotted portion I99 on the bracket I96 through which the rope I94 extends. With this marker bar construction the operator may mark the field,

in either direction as he traverses the field with the planter attachment.

It is obvious that with the planter attachment, that has been described, a simple planter attachment has been disclosed which may be readily connected to, and disconnected from the tractor. The planter attachment also is obviously a well balanced attachment wherein the planter units themselves are mounted at the rear of the tractor, and the fertilizer units for the tractor are mounted at the forward end of the tractor to thoroughly distribute the weight of the various units. to adjust the various units for the planter attachment are within convenient reach of the operators station I6. The units are so arranged that when the operator drives the tractor across the field, he may observe how the fertilizer and planting units are functioning. When the operator reaches the end of the rpw being planted, he may readily raise the marker being used, and lower the other one by actuating the ropes I94 within easy reach. The fertilizer drive mechanism may be thrown 'in and out of operating position by merely reaching down and operating the lever 91.

As has been previously described, it is obvious that the combined planter attachment comprising the planter units and the fertilizer units may be used as a whole, or that the fertilizer unit or the fertilizer units may be used without the planter units depending upon whether seed is to be planted or fertilizer distributed while the plants are growing. It is also apparent that both the fertilizer units and the planter units may be taken off, and the front attachment structure may be used for attaching cultivator. standards and tools for cultivating the plants during the season. With the structure described, it isv possible to plant at various row spacings as is necessary in different localities.

-I n detaching the planter attachment from the tractor in order to attach other implements to the'tractor, as best shown in Figure 6, which show the planter attachment detached, a block or other support may be positioned under the transverse draft frame 23. Bolts 209 are then unloosened from the transmission 2I and the supporting members I9 and 20 are then swung to the rear. The swinging bolts 33 and 34 are then loosened and swung clear of the attaching brackets 21' and 28'. If the marker bar structure I15 has not been previously removed, it

may be now detached by loosening bolts 2M and after removing the tie bars I and I42.

All of the levers for raising and lowering and covering tools may then be removed, if it is desired to,-with the front attachment for cultivating and cultivating standardsplaced on the beams I39, as in standard cultivator practice The beams I39 with their tools are then free to move with respect to each other, and with respect to the tractor.

However, if it is desired to use the tractor for other purposes than cultivating, the entire cultivator unit may be removed by detaching the push bars I52 and I53 from the levers I55 and. I56.

The levers and their quadrants may or may not be removed from the tractor. The cultivator attachment is then detached from the forward end of the tractor by disconnecting the supports I21 from the front of the tractor. The cultivator attachment can be supported by standards or other supporting structures to maintain the cultivator attachment in its detached position for subsequent attaching It willbe evident that the construction described results in a simple structure for providing a tractor of a standard type with planting units positioned at the rear of the tractor, fertilizer unit's positioned at, the midportion of the tractor, and fertilizer furrow opening units or cultivator attachment positioned at the forward end of the tractor. It is also apparent that these units may be readily attached to, and detached from the tractor in the manner set forth.

While the construction above described exemplifies one preferred form of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that certain modifications in the structure are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

I What is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion, of a fertilizer attachment .mounted on the tractor comprising a dispensing mechanism having a hopper construction and a driving mechanism therefor, supporting means for attaching the hopper construction to the body portion comprising a longitudinal support for attaching to the body portion, a transversely extending U-shaped frame munted'thereon for supporting the hopper construction, driving means for the hopper driving mechanism mounted on the aforesaid U-shaped frame, .a jack-shaft, means for supporting the jack-shaft on the aforesaid supporting means for attaching the hopper construction, and means for driving the aforesaid driving means from the jack-shaft.

2. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion, and a transversely extending axle structure, of an implement attachment mounted on the body portion comprising a transverse draft means mounted below the aforesaid body portion intermediate the ends thereof, an implement unit trailed from the aforesaid draft means, longitudinally extending draft means connecting the implement unit with the aforesaid transverse draft means and lying below the aforesaid axle structure, and said longitudinally extending draft means comprising a draft memher having a forward transversely extending portion pivoted on the transverse draft means and a rear transversely extendingportion pivotally mounted on the implement unit, and a parallel link member bowed downwardly whereby clearance is provided between the aforesaid longiattachment,

tudinally extending draft means and the axle structure.

3. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and a transverse axle structure, of a planter attachment comprising means for mounting the planter attachment on the aforesaid transverse axle structure, forwardly extending thrust members, a plurality of planter units, transverse draft means mounted below the aforesaid body portion intermediate the ends thereof, longitudinal draft means for connecting the planter units to the transverse draft means, a marker-bar structure for the aforesaid planter attachment, and means for mounting the marker-bar structure on the planter attachment below the aforesaid narrow longitudinal body portion and intermediate the ends thereof on the longitudinally extending thrust members ahead of the aforesaid transverse draft means.

4. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and a transverse axle structure, of a planter attachment comprising means for. mounting the planter attachment on the aforesaid transverse axle structure, forwardly extending thrust members, transverse draft means mounted on the aforesaid thrust-members, a marker-bar structure for the aforesaid planter and means 'for mounting the marker-bar structure, on the aforesaid thrust members ahead of the aforesaid transverse draft means.

5. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal' body portion and a transverse axle structure, of a planter attachment comprising means for mounting the planter attachment on the aforesaid transverse axlestructure, forwardly extending thrust members, transverse draft means mounted on the aforesaidthrust members below the aforesaid body portion intermediate the ends thereof, a plurality of planter units trailed from the aforesaid draft means, each of "said units comprising a hopper and dispensing mechanism therefor positioned to the rear of the axle structure and adjacent thereto, the hoppers of said units lying below the transverse axle structure, longitudinally extending draft means mounted below the axle structure for the planter units comprising parallel link construction, and means for raising and lowering said planter units from ground engaging to transport position,

6. The combination with a motor propelled wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and a transverse axle structure, of a planter attachment comprising means for mounting the attachment on the axle structureQforwardly extending thrust members, transverse draft means mounted on the thrust members below the aforesaid body portion, a plurality of planter units mounted on said transverse draft means, parallel link connections connecting the planter units with the transverse draft means, a transverse rock-shaft, means for connecting the rock-shaft to each of the planter units whereby they may be raised-and lowered from ground engaging to transport position and allowing individual movement of each unit in ground enwheel supported frame having a narrow longitu-' dinal body'por tion and a transverse rear axle structure, of a planter attachment mounted on said rear axle structure comprising a plurality of planter units, a transverse draft means mounted below the narrow longitudinal body portion intermediate the ends thereof to which the planter unts are connected, a marker-bar structure for the aforesaid planter attachment supported from the wheel supported frame intermemeans for the planter units and the aforesaid transverse draft means for the fertilizer furrow opening units.

8. The combination with a motor-propelled, wheel-supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and a transverse axle structure, of a planter attachment comprising quickattachable means for mounting the attachment on the transverse axle structure, thrust members extending forwardly of the axle structure, a. piu-' rality of planter units, transverse draft means carried by the thrust members below the body portion intermediate the ends thereof, longitudinal draft means for connecting the planter units to the transverse draft means, a markerbar structure, and quick-attachable means for mounting the marker-bar structure on the for-' wardly extending thrust members.

9. The combination with a wheel supported frame having narrow longitudinal body portion and a transversely extending axle structure, of an implement attachment mounted on the body portion including a transverse draft means adapted to be below the body portion intermediate the ends thereof, an implement unit adapted to be trailed from the draft means, longitudinally extending draft means for connecting the implement unit with the transverse draft means lying below the axle structure, and said longitudinally extending draft means including a draft member, and a parallel link member bowed downwardly, whereby clearance is provided between the longitudinally extending draft means and the axle structure.

' 10. In combination, a wheel supported frame having a narrow body portion and a transversely extending axle structure, a transverse draft means connected to the wheel supported frame to' lie'ahead of the axle structure, an implement unit adapted to be trailed from the draft means, and longitudinally extending draft means" for connecting the implement unit with the transverse draft means lying below the axle struc-' ture, said longitudinally extending draft means including a draft member, and a parallel link.

inember ,bowed downwardly, whereby clearance is provided between the longitudinally extending draft means and the axle structure.

11. In combination with a wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and a transversely extending axle structure, a transverse draft means connected to the wheel supported frame to lie ahead of the axle structure, an implement structure adapted to lie in rear of the axle structure, and longitudinally extending draft means for connecting the implement unit with the transverse draft means lying below the axle structure and including a draft' member having a forward transversely extending portion pivoted on thetransverse draft means and arear transversely extending portion pivotally connected to the implement unit and a par allel' link member interconnecting the same and lying above the draft member.

12. In combination with a wheel supported frame having a narrow longitudinal body portion and'a transversely extending axle structure, a transverse draft means connected to the wheel supported frame to lie ahead of the axle structure, an implement structure adapted to lie in rear of the axle structure, and longitudinallyextending draft means for connecting the implement unit with, the transverse draft means lying below the axle structure and including a draft member having a forward transversely extending portion pivoted on the transverse draft means and a rear transversely extending portion pivotally connected to the implement unit and a par- I allel link member interconnecting the same and bowed downwardly whereby clearance is provided between the longitudinally extending draft means and theaxle structure.

13.,The combination with -a wheel supported frame having a body portion, of a planter attachment comprising means ,-for mounting the planter attachment on the b05131 portion, forwardly extending thrust members, transverse draft means mounted on the thrust members, a mark- 'er-bar structure for the planter attachment, and

means for mounting. the marker-bar structure on the thrust members ahead of the transverse draft means.

14. The combination with a wheel supported frame having a longitudinal body portion, ofa

dispensing attachment adapted to be mounted on the longitudinal body portion and having a hopper with its operating 'mechanism, supporting means for the hopper adapted for attachment to v the body portion, driving means for the hopper operating mechanism mounted on the supporting means and having a clutch element, means for driving said driving means, and said hopper operating mechanism having a clutch element for .engagement'with the clutch element of the driving means for the hopper operating mechanism,

whereby the hopper operating mechanism'can be readily attached to and detached from the drivingmeans upon its attachmentand detachment with its supporting means.

15'.The combination with a wheel supported frame having alorigitudinal body portion, of a operating mechanism having a clutch element for engagement with theclutching element of the driving means. for the hopper operating mechanism, whereby the hopper operating mechanism can be readily attached to and detached from the driving means upon its attachment and detachment with its supporting means,

1 Y JAMES L. 

